Lunsford calls on McConnell to dispose of Stevens' money

U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville): Getty images PhotoThe campaign of Democratic Senate candidate Bruce Lunsford jumped on today's news of the federal indictment against U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska). Lunsford's campaign dispatched a release this afternoon calling on their opponent, U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville), to rid himself of funds received from Stevens.

"Over the course of his career, Mitch McConnell has accepted $13,500 in campaign contributions from Sen. Stevens," said Lunsford spokesperson Allison Haley in the statement. "Sen. Stevens and his potentially nefarious relationship with an energy company is a textbook example of what is wrong with Washington. Mitch McConnell should do the honorable thing and donate these funds to a charity here in Kentucky immediately."

Stevens is charged with intentionally concealing more than $250,000 worth of gifts he received from Veco, an oil services company, by not disclosing them on the Senate's personal finance disclosure forms.

Earlier today, Stevens said he was "innocent" of the alleged crimes.

Lunsford's release points mostly to funds McConnell has accepted from Stevens' Northern Lights PAC over the course of his career.

The total amount referenced includes $7,500 in total contributions McConnell's campaign received from that PAC this year.

In addition to the amount referenced by Lunsford's campaign, McConnell's own PAC - the Bluegrass Committee - received $10,000 from Stevens' PAC from 2005 to 2006.

The Bluegrass Committee also gave $10,000 to Stevens' own election committee in 2007.

Like McConnell, Stevens faces a re-election fight this year against Anchorage's Democratic mayor, Mark Begich.

Lunsford's campaign is now one of at least four Democratic campaigns across the country that have made a call on their Republican opponent to return money they received from Stevens and the Northern Lights PAC.

Other Democratic Senate candidates trying this move include Al Franken (D-Minn.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and U.S. Rep. Tom Allen (D-Me.).

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